Volunteer

Drawing on the Power of Art…

Barnstone Art For Kids is committed to providing a high quality, safe, and fun experience for our student participants. The success of the Power of Art is directly linked to the strength and commitment of our volunteer mentors. As the number of children in our program increases, so does our need for additional volunteers.

What Is A Mentor? Mentors are artists and art administrators, parents, teachers and health care professionals – adults and students, all compassionate and creative.

What Do Mentors Do? Mentors bring their passion and positivity to the Power of Art where they work one-on-one with a child in a small group setting. All program materials, instructions and training are supplied by Barnstone Art for Kids.

How Mentors Make A Difference? By promoting creativity, confidence and problem solving skills mentors help to build resiliency in children who have suffered adversity improving their chances for positive physical, emotional and behavioral growth.

What’s In It For You? Volunteering provides an opportunity to develop skills, gain experience, build confidence and meet new people while making a difference in the life of a child.

We also looks for volunteers to help us with administrative, technical, fundraising and marketing related tasks so if you have special skills that could help us improve Barnstone Art for Kids please contact us!

Volunteer Requirements

Being very aware of the need to create a safe environment for these vulnerable children, we are careful to conduct thorough criminal background checks of all volunteer applicants. All mentors must complete a volunteer application, criminal background check, child abuse clearances and confidentiality waivers. Student volunteers under the age of 18 must have parental permission to participate. Mentors must attend a mandatory three-hour training session prior to volunteering.

We schedule trainings two or three times a year, depending on program demand and volunteer recruitment activity. Mentors are asked to commit to a full six-week block. Due to how rewarding the experience is for mentors, more than 75% of our volunteers participate in multiple programs.

The Power of Art is divided into 5 six week blocks throughout the year. We are now looking for volunteers in Phoenixville on Mondays 4-5:30pm, Tuesdays 4:30-6pm and 6:30-8pm, and Wednesdays 4:30-6pm and 6:30-8pm. Our next block begins the week of January 29, 2018.

As an Art Psychotherapist and someone who has worked in the non-profit world for nearly 20 years, I can confidently say that this program is one of the most creative and effective uses of art with at risk children. The program deserves not only to be praised for its creativity and success, but should also be expanded and replicated due to its meaningful impact on the lives it touches.

Sean, Ph.D

Volunteering for Barnstone Arts for Kids has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It is inspiring to see what a positive influence this program has on the kids, and it’s a really fun way to give back to the community. I look forward to my weekly art sessions with the kids, and I know they look forward to it too. Sometimes a small difference–like introducing art as an outlet into a child’s life–can make all the difference in how they develop and who they become; I am grateful to be a part of a program that is a catalyst for such positivity.

Caitlin, college student

It was an honor to volunteer and it gave me a chance to share my time in a program that gives children the opportunity to express themselves through art in a caring, stress free environment with no strings attached!

Gloria, grandmother

I just wanted to say that I found my experience as a mentor to be so rewarding. I loved watching the children grow throughout the meeting and become more comfortable with the other participants and more willing to express themselves. I loved how despite their unfortunate circumstances, they still managed to have a positive attitude and that definitely was reflected on the mentors. It was such a welcoming environment and the staff was so enthusiastic and everyone got along so well. I had a blast.

Chloe, high school student

It was so cool to see kids get genuinely excited, and fully engaged, in doing something creative. Every week the sessions flew by! It would be like one minute we stepped in and the next it was time to leave!

Ashley, art professional

Barnstone Art For Kids is a fantastic, full-hearted program dedicated to helping kids who have suffered from adverse childhood experiences to find a way to cope. Lynn Detwiler, the Executive Director, was great to work with and is so obviously dedicated to the program. It was an honor to be able to help her out.

Patty, professional consultant

Being a mentor is one of my favorite things to do. I became a mentor to work with kids and be creative, I feel so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful program. It’s exciting to see the kids freely expressing themselves . It’s also silly and fun…who wouldn’t love doing it!

Trisha

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

MISSION

Barnstone Art for Kids uses the Power of Art to foster resiliency in children facing adversity.